Want to learn how to draw a shark? This easy step-by-step shark drawing tutorial is perfect for kids, beginners, or anyone who wants a simple way to draw a cool great white shark. Follow the easy directions, watch the video, and youโll have a fun shark drawing in just a few simple steps.
All you need is paper, a pencil, an eraser, and something to color with. This shark drawing starts with basic shapes, then adds fins, a tail, gills, and details to bring your shark to life.
Check out more fun things to draw, and if youโre a fan of the ocean, these sea animal doodles are sure to inspire you! Be sure to dive into these shark coloring pages for some creative fun!
This article contains affiliate links.
Supplies for Shark Drawing
You only need a few basic supplies to draw a shark:
Paper
Pencil
Eraser
Black marker or crayon for outlining
Gray marker or crayon for coloring
Start with a pencil so you can erase the guidelines, then trace your finished shark with a black marker or crayon. Add gray coloring or shading to make your shark look more realistic.
How to Draw a Shark
- Find the middle of the paper and, with your pencil, draw a curved line from the tip of the shark’s snout to the start of the dorsal fin. Next, draw a triangle shape for the dorsal fin, sloping it gently down. Then, draw a tall triangle for the top of the tail (caudal fin). Finish the tail by adding a smaller triangle pointing toward the bottom corner of the paper.
- In the second step, youโll add 2 more fins and a few details to make your shark drawing even easier. Starting at the snout, curve a line down and slope it up to meet the tail. Draw a small, leaning triangle just below the eye. Erase the line inside the mouth and add 3 small triangle-shaped teeth on the upper jaw, making them nice and sharp!
- Next, draw the lateral line, starting at the snout, curving up to the eye, and then sloping down to meet the pectoral fin. For the pectoral fin, draw a triangle slanting down and back up. Erase the bottom line of the sharkโs body so the pectoral fin looks like it’s in front. Continue the lateral line halfway to the tail, and then add a small pointed triangle for the pelvic fin.
- Go back and add 4 gills by erasing part of the lateral line just before the pectoral fin, and drawing 4 small curved lines (like parentheses). Finally, add the sharkโs eye and eyebrow above the lateral line, centered over the mouth.
- Before finishing your shark sketch and making it look realistic, youโll need to add the fins. Start by drawing a small, back-slanted triangle near the tail. This is the second dorsal fin. Below it, add another small back-slanting triangle for the anal fin.
- Next, draw the second pelvic fin slightly in front of the first pelvic fin. Finally, add the second pectoral fin hanging down in front of the first one. Once youโve added these details, your shark drawing will be complete!
- Now that your shark drawing is complete, itโs time to turn it into a piece of wall art! Use your colors and black marker to add some finishing touches, making it ready to hang. If youโre curious about drawing other types of sharks, like a bull shark or a whale shark, the techniques you learned here will make those easy to tackle, too!
Congratulations on completing your shark drawing! By following the simple steps, youโve created a great drawing of a shark that can easily be turned into a piece of wall art. Whether you’re using markers, watercolor paints, or any other mediums, you can make your shark look even more amazing by adding color and shading. Don’t forget those important details like the sharp teeth and tail fins to give your shark more personality!
If you want to take your drawing further, try adding more detail to the shark’s head, or experiment with different shapes to create a fun cartoon shark. The basic shapes you used for the body shape, pectoral fins, and mouth of the shark will help you when drawing more advanced sharks, too. If you’re feeling adventurous, try turning this sketch into a piece to show off to your art friends or try other step-by-step shark tutorials to improve your skills!
Video Tutorial: Simple Shark Drawing For Kids & Adults
My Favorite Drawing Supplies
- Sketching Pencils
- Kneaded Rubber Eraser
- Sketch Pad
- Erasable Colored Pencils
- Fine markers
- Sketch and Drawing Art Pencil Set
- Artist drawing set (This is great for new and experienced artists. It’s also something I give as a gift.)
More Fun Crafts
If you loved learning how to draw a shark, why not try these fun and creative projects? Perfect for kids and adults alike, these crafts will keep the creativity flowing!
- Mermaid Coloring Pages โ Dive into some ocean fun with these free printable coloring pages!
- How to Draw a Fish โ Learn how to draw a cute fish with easy, step-by-step instructions.
- How to Draw a Frog โ Follow these simple steps to draw a fun and friendly frog.
- Shark Valentine Box โ A great craft for Valentineโs Day! Create a fun shark-themed box for your cards.
- Fish Jokes โ Lighten up with some hilarious fish jokes that will make you smile.
- Fish Origami โ Try your hand at folding paper to create a fish with this fun origami project.
- Fishing Coloring Pages โ Print out these fishing-themed pages for a relaxing coloring experience.
- Shark Jokes
- Ocean Coloring Pages
I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.
